How to tell if a website is legit: Spotting online shopping scams and fraudsters

More of us shop online than ever before.

It's convenient and can be a great way to grab a bargain.

But there are lots of dangers too as scammers create fake online shops that are hard to tell apart from legitimate retailers, and are able to even include features such as live chat.

The aim could be to trick you into paying for goods that never arrive, steal your bank details or capture passwords and other personal information.

Here is how to tell if a website is trustworthy before you buy and the warning signs to watch out for...

The price is too good to be true

A huge discount can be tempting, particularly if you're looking for an expensive item.

But an unusually cheap price should definitely be a red flag that makes you stop and investigate before handing over your money.

A website offering high-value products at a fraction of the usual price is a tactic from scammers to tempt people into handing over their cash.

It doesn't automatically mean it's a scam but you should definitely look into the site further, especially if you haven't used the company before or know anything about the business.

You're asked to pay by bank transfer

One of the biggest warning signs of a scam is being asked to transfer money directly into a bank account.

Your best form of protection is paying by credit card, and you should never pay by direct bank transfer when buying online.

If a seller insists that bank transfer is the only way you can pay, do more research on the company to see if it could be a scam.

Check the experience and reviews of other customers

To find out if the website has been used by others, type the official website address of the organisation directly into the browser’s address bar.

Search for the organisation, and then take time to read the entries on the results page.

Look at reviews on independent websites such as Trustpilot, Feefo and Sitejabber.

You should be cautious if every review is five stars and they use very similar language, as well as lots of reviews posted in a short period of time.

The website contains spelling or design mistakes

Bad spelling and grammar are notoriously linked to scams.

However, fraudsters can now create much more convincing websites, meaning a site that looks professional isn't necessarily legitimate.

Criminals can duplicate the design, logos, trademarks and products of genuine retailers.

It's worth checking if there is a closed padlock sign at the start of the web address but, again, it doesn't automatically mean the retailer itself is trustworthy.

A padlock means your connection to the website is encrypted and a scam website can still have https.

So check the website address, investigate the company and look for other warning signs too.

There's no clear returns policy

Before paying, look for information about returns, refunds, delivery and the company's terms and conditions.

A website that doesn't explain what happens if your order doesn't arrive or you want to return something should raise questions.

You should also check whether the policies actually make sense and appear to relate to the business you're buying from.

You feel pressure to buy immediately

Scammers don't want you to have time to think and suss out the deal isn't real, so they use urgency to push you into acting.

Watch out for messages such as "Only one left" or "Sale ends in 10 minutes".

If a deal makes you feel pressured, stop before you pay.

What to do if you think a website is a scam

The most important thing is to stop before you pay.

Don't enter your bank or card details, don't provide passwords and don't click on further links.

If you've seen a website you think is fraudulent, you can report it to the NCSC.

You don't need to be certain that a site is a scam before reporting it.

If you received a suspicious text message, you can also forward it to 7726 for free so your mobile provider can investigate it.